Major announcements from Nikon Canada. We’ll start with two new lenses, the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 ED VR II and the AF-S Nikkor 70-200 mm f/2.8G ED VR II. The two new telephoto zoom lenses feature Vibration Reduction (VR) II optical image stabilization. VR II allows photographers to shoot handheld at as many as four shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible. Two VR modes are available: “Normal” mode, ideal for everyday use and panning a subject; and “Active” mode to reduce more extreme instances of camera shake.

Nikon has further refined the 70-200 mm lens with an enhanced optical formula featuring seven extra low dispersion (ED) glass elements for vibrant, high-resolution images with optimal contrast. Image quality is further enhanced by Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coat, which reduces instances of lens flare and ghosting. The new 70-200 mm VR lens also includes a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for fast, quiet autofocusing. The SWM takes full advantage of 3D tracking autofocus (AF) systems, such as those found on the FX-format D3X, D3 and D700 DSLRs. Three focus modes are available – M, A/M and M/A – for automatically focusing, manually focusing or fine tuning AF performance.

With the DX 18-200 mm VR, Nikon enhanced the construction of the lens to include a zoom lock switch, allowing photographers to secure the lens barrel at its minimum length, eliminating the natural gravitational effect that can draw the barrel downward during transport. VR II image stabilization helps to prevent blurry photos in a variety of lighting conditions. Nikon’s Super Integrated Coatings reduce instances of ghosting or flaring. The lens also has Nikon’s SWM technology. Its zoom range is equivalent to 27-300 mm in 35 mm format when mounted on any Nikon DX-format camera. Additionally, the optical formula contains two ED glass elements and three aspherical lenses to minimize chromatic aberration and distortion. Nikon says the resulting images exhibit extreme sharpness, extraordinarily vibrant colour, high fidelity and crisp contrast.

The 18-200 mm will be available in September, the 70-200 mm in November.

(An update, Aug. 28: the suggested price for the 18-200 mm is $949.95; for the 70-200 mm, $2,679.95.)